PHOTO: EAST NEWS/AFP ATTENTION EDITORS: EMBARGOED TILL 24:00 DECEMBER 31 2001 Russian President Vladimir Putin prepares his traditional New Year speech in the Kremlin in Moscow 31 December 2001. EMBARGOED TILL 24:00 DECEMBER 31 2001 AFP PHOTO EPA ITAR-TASS POOL

PHOTO: EAST NEWS/AFP President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with ex-President Boris Yeltsin during their meeting in the Kremlin 31 December 2000. Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly left the presidency one year ago to the then Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. AFP PHOTO EPA/ITAR-TASS POOL

Photo: Laski Diffusion / East News Vladimir Putin in KGB uniform, circa 1980.

Photo: Laski Diffusion / East News Vladimir Putin in KGB uniform, circa 1980.